Resilient expansible buckle



Jan. 16, 1951 H, EASLICK Re. 23,328

RESILIENT EXPANSIBLE BUCKLE-MOUNTING Original Filed Sept. 22, .1948 2Sheets-Sheet 1 6 INI/ENT 32 22d/ H Easa Jan. 16, 1951 L, H` EASLlCK Re.23,328

ESILIENT EXPANSIBLE BUCKLE-MOUNTING original Filed-sept. 22, 1948 2sheets-sheet 2 L/oj/ E Reissued Jan. 16, 1951 RESILIENT EXPANSIBLEIBUCKLE MOUNTING Lloyd H. Easlick, Flourtown, Pa., assigner to PioneerSuspender Company, 1:"hiladelphia,l Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaOriginal No. 2,486,356, dated October 25, 194,9,

Serial No. 50,592, September 22, 1948. Application for reissue July 25,1950, Serial No. 175,831

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets 1 appears in the original patent butforms no part of this reissue specication; matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue 12 Claims.

The .present -invention relates to trouser belts and similar fasteningand .supporting members for .clothing and it relates more particularlyto trouser belt .constructions wherein the buckle is made resilientlymovable relative to the belt to provide .greater comfort for the wearer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedconstruction for `trouser belts and like fastening and supportingmembers for clothing. Another object of the present invention is toprovide a neat, comfortable, inexpensive, dependable and long-lastingconstruction for a trouser belt `or the like wherein the buckle orsimilar fastening element is made resiliently movable relative to thebelt.

lOther objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent inthe following detailed description, appended claims and accompanyingdrawings.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a trouser :belt Vconstructionwherein the buckle` is made resiliently movable relative to the belt sothat there is a slight give or expansibility to the belt, when worn,thereby providing a greater degree of comfort than is possible withnonresilient belt constructions.

However, none of these prior belt constructions has proved Ientirelysatisfactory since `all of them have been relatively complicated and`diflicult to assemble and install and have tended to fail uponprolonged use due to inherent shortcomings in the structure.

In my cof-pending applications Serial No. 13,398, led April l, 1.948,and Serial 39,444, filed July ,19,

` 1948, now abandoned, kof which the present .ap-

plication is a continuation-in-part, I have `disclosed a resilientmounting for a belt-buckle er the like wherein the buckle is pivotallycarried by a connector having an elongated, thin, hat shank passingthrough a slot formed through a folded, looped end of the belt (which isof ilexible butl non-resilient material such as leather, syntheticplastic or fabric), the inner .end of the shank being connected to a.spring tensioning it inwardly; a stop-member of metal or the like.being immovably secured relative to the fold or loop of the beltgenerally adjacent the slot so as to limit the outward movement of theconnector and buckle. In the embodiments .of my ctx-pending applicationSerial No, 13,398, the stoprmember is provided with bent-over ears whichcooperate with stop-shoulders formed at the inner Aend of the thin ilatshank so as to limit the outward movement of the shank. In thelembcdments of my co-pending application Serial No. 39,444, the

stop-.member is provided with a .stem-portion which extends through alongitudinal slot in the shank of the .connector so as to limit itsmovement relative to the belt.

In the forms of both of my co-pending applications Serial Nos. 18,398and 39,444, the stopmember is formed .as a separateand distinct elementwhich must be `fastened to the belt adjacent the -fold-line as'one ofthe several yassembly op-V erations.

According to the present invention, I have developed a further-improvedconstruction wherein the stop-member (which may takeany of the forms ofmy aforesaid co-pending applications) permanently attached to andcarried by the attachment-plate which anchors the spring to the beltwhereby the .buckle vand .connector Vparts can be pre-.assembled as amore or less unitary element which can be quickly and easily installedupon the belt with only a single fastening operation. i

The present invention further contemplates a construction wherein asimple and inexpensive shield is provided intermediate the helicalspringv and at least one of the panels of the belt loop so as to reducefriction or binding and thereby to insure smoother and easier operationof the buckle .and connector during use.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are .shown in theaccompanying drawings forms thereof which are `at present preferred,although it is to be .understood that the various instrumentalities ofwhich the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized andthat the invention is not limited to the precise .arrangements andorganizations of the instrumentalities as yhereinshown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawing vin which like referencecharacters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents Aa fragmentary Aperspective view of one embodimentof the present invention with the buckle in partially-extended position,parts being broken away vbetter to reveal theconstruction thereof.

Figure l-a represents a cross-.sectional View taken on an enlarged scalegenerally along .the line ima-l -a of Figure l.

Figure 2 represents an elevational view, on a somewhat reduced scale,.showing the inner or underside of the embodiment of Figure 1, but withthe buckle shown in fully-retracted position; parts being broken away:better to reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 3 3 of Figure 1 but with the buckle shown in fully-extendedposition.

Figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 4 4of Figure 3.

Figure 5 represents an elevational view, on a further reduced scale, ofa buckle and connector assembly showingy the top or outer side thereof,as a more or less unitary element ready for installation upon a belt.

Figure 6 represents an elevational View of a buckle and connector unitshowing the inner or underside thereof. v

Figure 6-a represents a cross-sectional view taken generally along theline B-a-G-a of Figure Figure 'l represents a perspective view generallylike that of Figure l showing another embodiment of the presentinvention.

Figure 8 represents an elevational View showing the upper or outer sideof the connector unit of Figure 7.

Figure 9 represents a cross-sectional View generally along the line 5 9of Figure 8.

Figure 10 represents a fragmentary perspective view showing a modiiiedform ofV the embodiment of Figures 7-9.

Figure 11 represents a cross-sectional view generally along line Il llof Figure 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown generally in Figures1-5, I may provide a trouser-belt includingkan elongated strap or beitI9 of leather or fabric or synthetic plastic or other flexible butrelatively non-resilient material, one end of which is folded back uponitself to provide a generally enclosed loop or pocket or compartment 20having a front panel 2| and a rear panel 22 which are sewn together attheir upper and lower edges by rows of stitching 23 and 24; a transverserow of stitching 25 closing the end of the loop or compartment generallyadjacent the free edge of the rear panel 22.

A buckle 2E of generally conventional construcface or side-by-sidesliding relationship.

spring 33 is disposed in juxtaposed side-by-side tion, including atongue 21 rotatably mounted upon the rear bar or bridge 28 and adaptedto bear, with its free end, against the front bar 29 of the buckle 25,is constructed and arranged to be mounted exteriorly of the loop 20 in amanner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

The buckle 26 is rotatably held by one end of a connector member 3i)which includes a pair of laterally-spaced curved sleeves 3l constructedand arranged to embrace the rear bar or bridge 28 (on either side of thetongue 21) so as to permit the buckle to pivot relative to the connectormember/33.v

The connector member, which is preferably integrally formed of metal orthe like, also includes a thin at elongated shank 32 which extends inAsomewhat; less than that of the slot 33, so that it can be insertedinto the loop through said slot) may be provided with alongitudinally-extending strengthening rib 3Bpressed outward therefrom`to provide greater rigidity and resistance to bending or twisting.

The inner end 35 of the shank 32 is provided with a pair ofintegrally-formed forwardly or outwardly bent stop shoulders 3lwhichserved to increase the thickness or front-to-rear dimension of the end35 without enlarging the transverse dimension, as indicated in Figures land 2 and 5.

The inner end 35 is also provided with an integrally-formed central loop35-a to which one end of a helical spring 3S is connected.

The other end of the spring 39 is connected to a loop 4D formed at theenlarged rear-end 4l of an elongated generally iiat rigid anchoragemember 43 of sheet-metal or the like which extends forwardly beyond andunderneath the rear or inner end 35 of the shank 32. The rear-end lll isprovided with a pair ci small holes ft2-a whereby it can be fastened tothe panel 22 adjacent the innermost end ofthe loop or compartment 20 bya pair of rivets 42. v

The front-end of the member 43 is provided with a pair oi'integrally-formed stop ears 45 which extend transversely therefrom andare bent over so as to overlie and enclose the transverse edges of theshank 32, whereby the member 43 and the shank 32 are maintained inface-to- The relationship to the anchorage member t3.

The elongated intermediate portion 'l5 of the member 43 is pressedoutward as at 'li alongone side thereof so as to strengthen theelongated member and also to provide a longitudinally extending groove12 within which the spring 39 is partially recessed so as to minimizethe extent to which the spring protrudes beyond said member 43. Thus,the groove 'i2 may have a transverse dimension of approximatelyone-fourth to one-half the circumference of the spring so that acorresponding part oi the spring is more or less enclosed thereby.

The ears 45 serve to limit the outward movement of the shank 32 (when apull is applied to the buckle soas to stretch the spring 3Q) since theylie in the path of the stop-shoulders 3l'. It is apparent that, when thepull on the buckle is released, the spring 39 will operate to retractthe connector member 33 and to return it from the fully-extendedposition shown in Figure 3 to the fully-retracted positionlshown inFigure 2.- Y v When the trouser belt of the present invention is wornwith the other end 43 of the strap i9 (shown in dash-dot lines inFigure 1) passed through the buckle. 26 (with the buckle-tongue 21inserted into one of the holes 41 formed adjacent the end 4B) andinserted within the ren taining loop 48 set into the loop 2D near theinner end thereof, there will be a tendency for the buckle 26 to bepulled outV to some extent due to the fact that the trouser-belt isusually worn somewhat tightened. It is a simple mat-- ter to adjust ,thepoint at which the buckle will On the other hand, the spring should notbe too weak since this would cause the buckle and connector to be pulledall the way out to theY fully-extended position shown in Figure 3 beforethe belt was tightened suiicien-tly to permit it to function properlyand, as a result, the resilience would be lost. Thus, when the belt isworn normally, they buckle and connector are in the partially-extendedposition shown in 'igure 1 wherein the spring provides a resilientconnector which gives with the movements of the wearer to providemaximum comfort.

In assembling the novel trouser-belt construe tion of Figure l, thebuckle 2S, connector member 30, spring 3S and member 43 are rst preassembled as a more or less integral unit.

The slot 33 may then be formed transversely along the strap I9 along aline which will subsequently become the fold-line 34. The pre-as sembledunit (namely the buckle plus the connector-member 3D plus the spring 39plus the attachment-and-stop-member 43) is then inserted through theslot 33 and the retaining loop 48 and the rivets 42 afiixed.

Thereafter, the stitching 23-24--25 is applied to complete the formationof the closed loop or compartment 2t.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the assembly operation is greatlysimplified and that labor cost is greatly reduced, inasmuch as thepre-assembled unit can be inexpensively made up elsewhere and affixed tothe belt in a fraction of the time otherwise required in resilientnbuckle constructions of the types heretofore employed. Y

In addition to serving as stop-members, the ears function as a guide forthe shank, minimizing transverse movement thereof and reducing wear onthe slot 33.

Inasmuch as the elongated member :t3 lies intermediate the helicalspring 39 on the one hand and the rear-panel 22 and the retaining-loop43 on the other hand, it serves as a shield so as to eliminate frictionvwhich would otherwise be presl ent when the spring expands and contractsrelative to the rear panel 22. In this way, bind ing of the spring isminimized thereby insuring easier and more responsive spring-action.

Inasmuch as the upturned stop-shoulders 3l serve to space the frontpanel 2l somewhat away from the spring 39, there is relatively littlefriction between the spring and the front panel and, accordingly, it hasbeen found unnecessary to provide a similar protecting shield on the topor outer sidelof said spring.

In Figure 6 there is shown a modied form of the embodiment of Figures 15 wherein the integral one-piece member f2.3 is replaced by aythree-piece attachment-and-stop-unit 5D made up of an attachment plate5l, a stop-member 52 having bent-over 53 similar to the ears 45described hereinabove, and an elongated ccnneeting strip 5cl of flexiblematerial (as for example syinthetic plastic or the like) having its endslooped through slot-s 55 and 56 formed in the attachment plate 5l andthe stop-member 52 respectively; the looped ends of the connecting strip54 being then stitched as at El-a and 57i-b to provide a more or lessunit-ary structure which provides stopaction for the shank 32 and whichprovides a somewhat greater degree of comfort by replacing the lessflexible metal of the member 53 by the elongated flexible con.- nectingstrip 54.

Instead of being constructed of fully exible material like syntheticplastic, the connecting strip 54 may be made of very thin metal, as forexample ribbon steel, which can be bent freely in the horizontal planebut which resists verticalor transverse displacement so. that. it tendsto stitching .s1-a and 51-b is repiaced by riveting,

spot-welding or other conventional means of attachment.

The method of assembly of the embodiment oi Figure 6 is generally thesame as that described hereinabove in connection with Figures 1-5. Thatis, the buckle 26, the connector member 30, the spring 3B, and themember Ell can first be pre-assembled as a unit which `can thereafter beinstalled upon the belt by inserting it through the slot 33 in thefold-line and riveting the attachment plate 5! to the rear panel 22 inthe manner described hereinabove.

In Figures 7-9, there is shown another embodiment which generallyresembles that of Figures 1-'5 except that member @i3-a does not havethe groove i2 and, instead, is a generally thin fiat member throughoutas indicated particularly in Figure 9. nient, instead of havingstop-ears 135, is provided with a rivet 58 extending upwardly oroutwardly adjacent its forward end and except that the shans; S22-a isprovidedwith a longitudinally extending slot is through which the rivet58 extends in a manner similar to that disclosed in my 3o-pendingapplication Serial No. 39,444.

A. washer @il is maintained upon the stem of the rivet iig, adjacent theouter surface of the shank EE-a by the enlarged head 5l of said rivetThe rivet Sie may be firmly afxed to the front end of the member :i3-ain any appropriate con ventional manner so that the shank 32-a is freeto move I longitudinally while being restrained against appreciablehorizontal or vertical displacement. It is obvious that the outwardInovement of the shank 32-a will be limited to the point at which theinner end 5&a of the slot 59 strikes the stem of the rivet while theinward movement of the shank will be limited to the point at which theouter end of 5Fl-a of the slot 59 strikes the stem of the rivet 56. i

The method of assembly and the mode of operation of this embodiment aregenerally the same described hereinabove.

In Figures l0 and ll there is shown a modied form of the embodiment ofFigures 7-9 wherein the rivet 5S is eliminated and, instead, the frontend of the member i3-b is provided with a pair of integrally-formed lugsE2 which are bent so as to extend outwardly and through the slot 5S andare then bent over transversely to provide retaining shoulders 53 on theouter side of the shank 'B2-a.

The lugs cooperate with the slot 5HV to limit the movement of the shankin the same manner as described in connection with the embodimentL ofFigures '7-9.

It is obvious that various modifications of the structure describedhereinabove could be made.

Thus. for exampie, they ears ed of Figure l and the ears it of Figure Gcould be modified or replaced in a manner analogous to the various em-ybodiments of my (3o-pending application Serial Additionallthis embodi'It is alsov obvious that the ears53 of the stopmember 52 could bereplaced by the rivet of Figure 7 or the lugs of Figure 10, cooperatingwith an appropriate slot formed in the shankof the connector.

Furthermore, the member S-a of Figures 7-9 could be provided with alongitudinallyr extending Vgroove asin the embodiment of Figures 1-5and, conversely, the member 43 of Figures 1-5 could be constructed as athin, flat member, without the groove 12. v

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiments beY considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to theappended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate thescope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim i as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent:

1. For use With a ilexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and Within said compartment, an elongated member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end fixedly connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said elongatedmember lbeing disposed at least inpart in side-by-side sidingrelationship with said shank, said elongated member and said shank beingmaintained in side-by-side juxtaposed relationship by a pair of earsformed on one of them and bent so as to overlie the other, and a helicalspring operatively connected intermediate saidy elongated member andsaid shank and constructed and arranged yieldably to urge said shankinwardly relative to said slot, said elongated member having alongitudinally extending groove formed therein, said helical springbeing disposed in said groove.

2. For use with a flexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end :"olded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide agenerally enclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having aslot formed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting fora buckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and within said compartment, an elongated member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end xedly connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said elongatedmember being disposed at least in part in side-by-side slidingrelationship with said shank, said elongated member and said shank beingmaintained in side-by-side juxtaposed relationship by a pair of earsformed on one of them and bent so as to overlie the other, a helicalspring operatively connected intermediate said elongated member and saidshank and constructed and arranged yieldably to urge said shank inwardlyrelative to said slot, said elongated member having a longitudinally(extending groove formed therein, said helical spring being disposed insaid groove, and

cooperating stop-means constructed andV arshank relative to saidelongated member.

3. For use with a ilexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardh7 and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle'or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and within said compartment, an elongated member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end xediy connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, saidv elongatedmember extending in side-by-side relationship to said shank, meansmaintaining said shank in juxtaposed side-by-side sliding relationshipto the outer end of said elongated member, and a helical springoperatively connected intermediate said elongated member and said shankand constructed and arranged yieldably to arge said shank inwardlyrelative to said slot, said elongated member having alongitudinally-extend-` ing groove formed therein and said helicalspring' being disposed in said groove.

4. For use With a flexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the fold line; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and Within said compartment, an elonn gated member disposedentirely Within said compartment and having one end xedly connected toone of said panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, saidelongated member extending shank, means maintaining said shank injuxtaposed side-by-side sliding relationship to the outer end of saidelongated member, and a helical spring operatively connectedintermediate said elongated member and said shank and constructed andarranged yieldably to urge said shank inwardly relative to said slot,elongated member having a longitudinally extending groove formedtherein, said helical spring being disposed in said groove, and saidshank having a stop-shoulder formed at its inner end and constructed andarranged to limit the outward movement of said connector. V

5. For use With a ilexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear n panels and having a slotformed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle andy having an elongated generally flat sheet-metalshank extending through said slotV and within said compartment, anelongated generally flat sheet-metal anchorage member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end i'lxedly -connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said elongatedanchorage member extending in face-toface relationship to said shank,means for maintaining said shank in face-to-face sliding relationshipwith said elongated anchorage member,

and a helical spring operatively interposed be in side-by-siderelationship to said4 eases tween the inner end of said shank and an endof said anchorage member and in juxtaposed sideby-side relationship tosaid elongated anchorage member. v

6. For use with a flexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated generallyT fiat sheet-metalshank extending through said slot and Within said compartment, anelongated generally flat sheetmetal anchorage member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end iixe'dly connected to one ofsaid panels adjacentcthe inner end oi said compartment, said elongatedanchorage member extending in face-to-face relationship to said shank,means for maintaining said shank in face-to-face sliding'reiationshipWith said elongated anchorage member, and a helical spring operativelyinterposed between the inner end of said shank and an end of saidanchorage member and extending in juxtaposed side-by-side relationshipto said elongated anchorage member, said elongated anchorage me l-- berbeing provided with a longitudinal extending groove and said helicalspring being disposed in said groove.

7. For use with a flexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the ioldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and Within said compartment, an elongated member disposed entirelywithin said cornpartment and having one end xedly connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said elongatedmember yextending in side-by-side relationship to said shank, means iormaintaining said shank in side-by-side sliding relationship with theouter end of said elongated'member, said last-mentioned means comprisinga pair of ears formed at the outer end of said elongated member and bentso as to overlie said shank, and a helical spring connected to the innerend of said shank and extending inwardly therefrom in juxtaposedside-by-side relationship to said elongated member, with the other endof said spring connected to the inner end of said elongated member.

8. For use with a ilexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and peripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having front and rear panels and having a slotformed along the foldline; a resilient and expansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank extending through saidslot and Within said compartment, an elongated member disposed entirelywithin said compartment and having one end iixedly connected to one ofsaid panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment7 said elongatedmember eX- tending in side-by-side relationship to said shank,

`means for maintaining said shank in side-by-side sliding relationship`with the outer end of said elongated member, said last-mentioned means10 comprising a rivet mounted atthe Outer end of said elongated memberand extending through a longitudinally extending slot formed in saidshank, and a helical spring connected to the in*- er end of said 'shankand extending inwardly therefrom in juxtaposed side-'by-siderelationship to 's`aid elongated member, with the other end of saidspring connected to' the inner end of said elongated member.

v9, For use with a exible garment supporting belt or the like having oneend folded inwardly and peripherally ystitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment `having front and rear panels and having' a slotformed along the foldline; Y a resilient and lexpansible mounting for abuckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged-tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shankU extending throughsaid slot and within said compartment, an elongated member` disposedentirely within said compartment and having one end `liliily connectedto one of said panels adjacent the inner end of said compartment, saidelongated member extending in side-by-side relationship to said shank,means for maintaining said shank in side-byside sliding relationshipwith the outer end of said elongated member, said last-mentioned meanscomprising a pair of shoulders formed at the outer end of said elongatedmember and passing through a longitudinally extending slot formed insaid shank, and a helical spring connected to the inner end of saidshank and extending inwardly therefrom in juxtaposed side-by-siderelationship to said elongated member, with the other end of said springconnected to the inner end of said elongated member.

10. For use with a flemible garment-support ing belt or the like havingone end folded in- 'wardly and peripherally stitched to provide agenerally enclosed compartment having ,front and rear panels separatedby a fold-Zine, said compartment having an opening formed thereingenerally on the fold-Zine; a resilient and ea:- pa'hsible mounting fora buckle or the like comprising a connector constructed and arranged tosupport said buckle and having an elongated shank, an elongated memberdisposed entirely within said compartment and having one end jedlyconnected to one of said panels adjacent the innen' end of saidcompartment, said elongated member being disposed at least in part inside-by-side sliding relationship with said shank, said elongated memberand, said shank being maintained in side-by-side iutaposed relationshipby u, pair of ears formed on, one of them and bent so as to ovelie theother, and a helical spring operatively connected intermediate saiclelongated member and said shank and constructed and arranged yieldablyto urge said connector-and-buckle inwardly relative to said. opening,said elongated member having a longitudinally extending groove formedtherein, said helical spring being disposed in said groove.

11. For use with a flexible garment-supporting belt or the like havingone end folded inwardly and paripherally stitched to provide a generallyenclosed compartment having ,front and rear panels separated by afold-line and having an opening disposed generally on the fold-line; a,resilient and expansible mountingand-buckle assembly comprising a.buckle disposed at least in pari outside said compartment and generallyadjacent said fold-line, and a mounting for said buckle, said mountingco'm-A 11 prising an elongated anchova/ge member of sheetmetal or thelike disposed entirely within said compartment and having its inner endpermanently and immovably fastened to one of said panels, a connector ofsheet-metal orY the like having means at its outer end pivotallg holdingthe buckle and having an elongated shank, means for maintaining saidshank in face-toface sliding relationship with said elongated anchoragemember, and aY helical spring operatively interposed between the innerend of s aid shank and one end of said anchorage member,

said spring being constructed and arranged yieldably to urge the innerend of said shank toward the inner end of said anchorage member.

12. A construction according to claim 11 wherein the outer end of theconnector is provided with a pair of laterally-spaced sleevesconstructed and arranged to encircle the rear bar of the buckle oneither side cf the buckletongue so as to permit pivotal movement of the12 buckle and wherein the anchorage member is provided with alongitudinally-extending groove within which the helical spring ispartly recessed and wherein the anchorage member and the shank aremaintained in face-to-face sliding relationship by a pair of earsintegrally formed on one of them and bent so as to overlie the other. l

LLOYD H. EASLIK.

REFERECES CITE The following references are of record i`n the le of thispatent or the original patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number N ame Date 1,367,431 Jansen 1 Feb. 1, 19211,524,616 Erpenbeck Jem.l 27, 1 925 1,594,962 Jacobs Aug. 3, 19262.415.254 Lutz et a1 Feb. 4, 1947

